Best advice ever?

[TrasaM]

What was the best piece of advice you were ever given with regards to horse riding?

 

[benson21]

To get right back on after falling off!!! (injuries taken into consideration obviously)!!

 

[Mongoose11]

I wasn't given this advice but found this out the hard way.... I guess it still counts as the threads purpose is to spread good advice right...?


If your trainer doesn't want to teach you about 'feel' then you need to find a new trainer.



After almost two years of making no progress with an instructor I changed and the difference in 3 months is unbelievable. So unbelievable.

So, so cross I didn't know any better.

ETA - I didn't mean for it to come out THAT big

 

[camilla4]

I wasn't given this advice but found this out the hard way.... I guess it still counts as the threads purpose is to spread good advice right...?


If your trainer doesn't want to teach you about 'feel' then you need to find a new trainer.



After almost two years of making no progress with an instructor I changed and the difference in 3 months is unbelievable. So unbelievable.

So, so cross I didn't know any better.

ETA - I didn't mean for it to come out THAT big

Actually, I don't think a statement like that can be in print that is too big!!!! Such an important thing to realise

I think the most important thing I've learnt is: patience, patience and more patience...

 

[TrasaM]

Yes. The idea is to share good advice or tips we've been given or had to find out the hard way by ourselves.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Look up and open your shoulders was the best thing ever said to me.

 

[mandwhy]

To close the back of your armpits when trying to sit up properly, can't remember who it was on here who said it

 

[showpony]

Taking on a Youngster is a Marathon not a sprint

 

[Arizahn]

Keep breathing!

 

[showpony]

Lock your wrists & rise from your Core was another which has worked wonders for me

 

[Ladyinred]

Don't take to heart what people say on forums. The person watching you is the one who sees and the one you pay to teach you.;

 

[You Wont Forget Me]

Don't take to heart what people say on forums. The person watching you is the one who sees and the one you pay to teach you.;

So true!

 

[ghostie]

If your horse doesn't do what you ask then you need to ask it differently. No use nagging away using the same tactics

 

[Maesfen]

Always treat each horse as an individual, it's not a one size fits all syndrome and probably more important, listen to your horse.

 

[asommerville]

Dont get off unless your put off!!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Never ... Ever ... Buy ... A ... Horse ...

 

[Diesal]

Keep your feet in front of your *rse and a leg either side and you should be fine! (referring to my first cross country event!)

 

[Littlelegs]

If you can't keep yourself straight & in the correct position don't expect the horse to either.
It's nearly always the riders fault/mistake.
Get the horse moving forwards first, its nearly always the root cause of problems.
Don't start a battle unless you know you're right & can win it.
You end up where you look.
Between you & the horse one of you should know more.
Spending time on the basics is essential, in an old bosses words 'if you put down foundations for a shed, don't be suprised if you have to start over again to build a house, put down perfect foundations for a skyscraper & you can build till you run out of bricks'. Basically meaning if you start right, only physical ability of horse & rider will be the limit.

 

[Pixxie]

Bad instruction is worse than no instruction

Best piece of advice I was ever given!

 

[jools123]

if you don't know find out

 

[katherine1975]

My instructor said that to achieve a good relationship with your horse you should make a deal with them: that you will never behave like a predator and they will not behave like a prey animal.

 

[LollyDolly]

Well seeing as nobody else has mentioned this little gem, although I'm sure we've all been told it once or twice...


SIT BACK!!



Usually in response to a horse acting up haha!

 

[Jackson]

Don't look at the floor unless that's where you would like to end up!

 

[tristar]

be prepared - having a horse is like having a new born baby

 

[TrasaM]

Just back from my Tuesday lesson and having asked the question I should contribute as well. So having had time to think...

Where you look is where you go and.LOOK UP!

Today's discovery is that learning is not a linear process!

 

[Jenna c bigg]

Out on a hack all ways ride 200 meters in front of your horse.
Try to see before your gg does!!!!

 

[TrasaM]

Dont get off unless your put off!!

Oh yes! Never forget which of you is meant to be on top.

 

[TrasaM]

Never ... Ever ... Buy ... A ... Horse ...

Lol..after seeing what my friends are coping with at the mo and reading all the problems on the forum I have reached the same conclusion.

 

[Fidgety]

The horse isn't born knowing the aids for canter or half pass.

 

[Cobiau Cymreig Wyllt]

'Don't be afraid, work hard, persevere'

This advice was nothing to do with riding, its from 10 years of kung fu/chi kung training - but its the best advice I've ever had for anything, and particularly for horses!!

And the other little gem from kung fu, also applicable with horses is:

'And breathe.'